Marie talks about carers’ rights day page 2

CareLineCare for the Carers FREE Magazine for CARERS in East Sussex

Winter 2011

Merry Christmas!

You're invited to the carers' forum page 7

S easons Greetings to all our readers. As we enter the festive season we cannot escape the economic situation that will have an impact

on everyone and in particular those who use public services. Carers are a group who will be doubly affected. As funding available for services for the person they care for reduces, the pressures rise for the carer. Those pressures are financial, emotional and physical. Carers Rights Day this year focused on the financial impact of caring and drew attention to the fact that unpaid carers often face additional costs as a result of looking after someone, as well as lost earnings and the likelihood of damaging their own health.

Care for the Carers is very aware of these pressures on carers and much of the work we do helps carers access financial advice. We ensure that those who make decisions about service provision are aware of the impact on carers. We also work to provide carers with opportunities to say directly how these changes are affecting them, e.g. the next Carers Forum will give carers the chance to question East Sussex County Council about charging for respite care and make them aware of how additional charges will impact on their lives.

I am pleased to report that the long awaited national evaluation of the Demonstrator Site projects concurred with our findings that providing support to carers improved their health and wellbeing. They recommended that hospitals and GP practices should have means by which they identify and support new carers and highlighted our project as an example of good practice. They also concluded that all staff should receive carer awareness training. We hope to use these findings to persuade the NHS locally to provide the funds to improve the support they provide to carers.

In the light of reductions in public funding, we are working hard to find other ways of funding the services that carers expressly want and need. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have raised funds for us over the year. They are local groups like the Lions who have been loyal supporters over the years, individuals and local businesses. We are Sainsbury’s Hampden Park charity of the year and they held a fundraising event in October and another one in December. I’d like to particularly thank Icon Stylists hairdressers for spending the day there and

donating all their proceeds to the appeal. Another example is one of our young carer’s mums who has run a number of activities which raised funds for the young carer’s service. She is so grateful for the support her son receives, she wants to support our work even though there are many days when she is very poorly. Not only are all these supporters raising much needed funds for carers services, they are also raising awareness of carers, the contribution they make and the services that are available to support them. We are very thankful for the time given by all of our volunteers and supporters.

Finally I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our work over the past year and wish you all a happy holiday and a healthy new year.

Marie Casey

2 Care for the Carers

Nimmo the Social Worker 4

Influence Government Policy 5

Alice’s Adventure 5

Changes to home-based respite 6

Your invite to the Carers’ Forum 7

Pull Out Guide on Medication 8 - 9

Carers In Touch 10 - 11

Autumn Competition Results 14

Contact Us 14

Christmas Opening TimesOver Christmas we will be closed from the 24th December and we'll be back January 3rd.

If you require support please contact Adult Social Care Direct on 0345 60 80 191, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm. Out of office hours call 01323 636399 or visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/socialcare

Message from the Chief Executive

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Introducing New Staff

T here have been lots of changes to Care for the Carers over the last few months including new projects starting in

response to our new contract. We'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Jenny, Debbie and Ella to our team and wish them well in their new roles.

Ella Hebron has joined us for a short while, she'll be working on developing the East Sussex County Council's Carers Discount Card (watch this space).

Introducing Jenny Pruess

Hello, I’m Jenny, and I’ve recently started work here as Counselling Administrator. The counselling service is free for carers, and has grown a lot since it started two years ago.

If you would like to know more about counselling

please give me a call on 01323 738390.

Jenny

Introducing Debbie Harris

I have recently being appointed to the new post of Involvement Officer working within the Partnerships Team. My main role is to support any carers who want to help influence the decision makers. This can be by joining the Carers Forum, becoming a Carer Representative on a committee or board or a range of other ways to get your voice heard.

So if you would like to get involved or find out more give me a call at the office on 01323 738390

Debbie

www.cftc.org.uk 3

Saying GoodbyeSadly, the funding for Beth’s role as Hospital Liaison Worker has ended and Beth has found a new job. Beth began working with us in November 2009 and her role was focused on supporting carers when the person they care for was in hospital.

Beth has just started her new job with East Sussex County Council; where she will be supporting Gypsies and Travellers in the local community. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Beth for all her hard work and dedication, she has been a very valued member of the team and we’ll miss her a lot!

Note from the Editor

T hree months have passed since the last edition of CareLine and it is nearing my favourite time of the year, I'm so excited!

A lot has been going on at Care for the Carers; we have had two new additions to our team and sadly we had to say goodbye to Beth as the funding for her project ended. Our receptionist Alice has left us for the time being to teach English in Argentina, but she’ll be back soon! Read more about her adventure on page 5.

I am delighted to report that since our last edition, Marie has officially been appointed as our Chief Executive – congratulations from all the team, we’re really pleased to have you at the helm.

Thank you to Maryanne, Rosemary and Nimmo for their interview on page 4 and thank you to Ray, for sharing his story, see page 15.

Finally, I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Please feel free to send me letters, photos, poems, stories, comments and any other ideas you may have. I hope you enjoy reading the magazine,

David Thompson

Nimmo the Social Workerby David Thompson

R ecently I visited Maryanne who lives in Seaford with her mum and dad. Maryanne has benefited from a variety of support

offered by Care for the Carers and is a regular attendee of our Seaford Carers’ Group.

Maryanne is a carer for her dad Alan and has been since she graduated in Graphic Design at University in 1999. Alan now suffers from multiple health issues and requires constant care.

Maryanne’s mum Rosemary is visually impaired. She lost the sight in her left eye when she was about 6 years old and has very limited vision in her right eye. In the past, Rosemary relied on Maryanne to take her out and help with everyday things such as popping to the shop, but this all changed when Nimmo joined the family.

Nimmo is Rosemary’s guide dog and the real reason for my visit. He is a handsome, yellow Labrador and the friendliest dog I’ve met. He was born in Barkingside and came from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in Maidstone. Rosemary passed her guide dog “driving test” on August 5th and since then they have both been inseparable, a “Perfect Pair”.

“I can do allsorts of things” Rosemary

Rosemary has re-discovered her independence; she makes frequent visits to Eastbourne and is now able to help Maryanne with day-to-day errands - such as the shopping or collecting a prescription.

“I’ve dropped 2 dress sizes, I feel 20 years younger!” Rosemary

Regular walks are helping Rosemary to live a healthier lifestyle and getting out and about has been a great boost to her social life, with Nimmo’s help they are both making new friends. It is easy to forget that Nimmo is a working dog with a strict routine and it is really important that this is followed, especially as his main concern is Rosemary’s safety.

“He’s costing us a fortune in coffees, now mum has discovered Starbucks!” Maryanne

Before I left, Rosemary showed me Nimmo’s bed, or should I say throne! He loves soft fluffy things and his bed is adorned with sumptuous fur cushions and throws. Everyday he enjoys having his paws washed before bed and sleeps upside down with his legs straight up in the air!

“I don’t have to worry about mum at all when she’s out with Nimmo. If he can’t help her, members of the public will notice that mum can’t see as she’s got Nimmo, and they’ll help.” Maryanne

Nimmo has made a big difference to Maryanne’s life. She is able to share more responsibilities with mum and has more time for herself. In the past Maryanne would go out with her mum for a break from the stresses at home, although leaving dad behind was a worry for her. Thanks to Nimmo this is no longer the case and she can now go out with her dad instead.

“Caring can be very stressful, so having Nimmo at home when he’s not working is just fun.” Maryanne

As well as reducing Maryanne’s worry and stress, Nimmo has brought laughter and happiness to the house. Maryanne loves to hear the stories from mum about the people she has met and the places she has found. It makes her happy to know that her mum is having a good time and enjoying life again.

4 Care for the Carers

e-petitions influence government policy

e-petitions are an easy way to influence government policy in the UK. Anyone can create an e-petition about anything that the government is responsible for and if it gets at least 100,000 signatures, it will be eligible for debate in the House of Commons.

Some e-petitions that may be of interest:

“Halt the ongoing decimation of realistic Care in the Community policies until widespread objective and informed debate has taken place”

Charles Henley calls for urgent debate on how we care for adults with learning disabilities. This petition calls for public consideration of learning disability day and residential services, employment opportunities and respite services, but also of the wider health and social care system and its impact on the elderly, infirm, mentally ill, and disabled. “If we cannot get it right for these people - what hope is there for the rest of us?”.

For more information and to sign the petition, please go to the following website: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22257. You can also read more about Charles’ personal campaign here: www.learningdisabilitiesenlightenment.co.uk

Call for “Carers’ Allowance to be increased to reflect the work that carers do”

George Herschel proposes that carers’ allowance should be upped to reflect the huge contribution carers make to the economy:

“carers save the state over 80 billion pounds each and every year […] the allowance should be at least doubled to reflect the work we do”.

For more information and to sign the petition, please go to the following website: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/799

Alice's AdventureHello Everyone!

For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been working on the front desk at Care for the Carers for the last year. I have really loved my time working here; not only is Care for the Carers such a fantastic and vital charity it also has some of the kindest and most supportive people working for it. I feel very privileged to be part of it.

However, I decided a long long time ago that I wanted to travel the world a little and use my TEFL qualification to teach English and I’m finally doing it! I fly out on the 1st November to South America where I will spend 5 months travelling, teaching English and volunteering.

My travelling will include flying into Rio Di Janeiro then making my way down the coast through Paraguay and Uruguay to my final destination of Buenos Aires where I will be teaching. I am also hoping to improve my Spanish a little whilst I’m out there.

Nonetheless, this is not a goodbye, more a farewell and see you soon, as I will be returning to Care for the Carers at the beginning of April to resume my role as Hub Helpline Operator. In the meantime, I am leaving you in the safe and very capable of hands of Neil and am looking forward to telling you all about my adventure upon my return.

Alice

If you collect

100,000 signatures, your e-petition could be debated in the House of

Commons

The public can sign it

An e-petition can be open for

up to 1 year

Advice from the NHSInformation on staying heathy this winter is available from the NHS www.nhs.uk/winterhealth

NHS Direct 0845 46 47 NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

www.cftc.org.uk 5

Changes to Home-based RespiteEast Sussex County Council (ESCC) have recently announced changes to home-based respite, and some readers have contacted us with questions about how this will impact on carers. We felt that this would be a good opportunity to share ESCC’s answers with you.

What is home-based respite?Home-based respite is regular short-term care, provided by ESCC so that carers can have a break. A care worker is provided to look after the person you care for at home, normally for 3 hours a week. People can receive the service directly from ESCC, which means using a provider from their approved list. Alternatively, the Direct Payments scheme can enable you to choose your own provider.

What is changing and when?The service is currently free of charge for eligible carers. Eligible carers are assessed as providing “regular and substantial” care and as having a clear need for a break. The changes are that:

» Respite will be treated as a service for the cared-for person rather than the carer, even though it is set up specifically to support the carer. This reflects the way legislation defines respite, and matches the approach to charging that ESCC already use for other community-based services.

» A financial assessment of the person being cared for will determine if there will be a contribution for using the service.

From 1st April 2012 the changes will apply to all carers or cared-for people receiving an assessment for the first time. For people already receiving home-based respite the changes will take effect the next time that their assessment is reviewed after 1st April 2012.

Why is it changing?ESCC have told us that the changes are being made for the following reasons:

1. To ensure that respite is treated consistently across Adult Social Care, bringing home-based respite into line with other services. This is seen by ESCC as being a fairer use of council resources.

2. To ensure the respite service is sustainable in the long term, as the number of carers using the service is increasing.

3. To help make flexible home-based respite available to the most financially disadvantaged people.

What isn’t changing?All carers who have an assessment or review can still access services such as CRESS (Carers Respite Emergency Support Services) and the Carers Personal Budget. ESCC also fund two other carers’ breaks services: a “sitting” service for rural areas and the Carers Breaks Dementia Service. These services will continue to be offered free of charge.

I currently use the respite service. How will the changes affect me?There will be no change to your service in the short-term. After 1st April 2012, the new rules will apply, and will come into effect the next time you, or the person you care for, have your annual review or should your needs change.

What if the person I care for won’t have a financial assessment?You will only be able to use the respite service if the person you care for has a financial assessment and any assessed contribution is paid.

How much will I have to pay?ESCC will look at the cared-for person’s finances and work out how much they can afford to pay towards the respite service, according to the rules they use.

Can I feed back my views on the changes?ESCC will not be consulting on the changes as they heel they have to be made. However they are keen to hear your views on the impact of the changes. They have asked for the opportunity to hear your views at the next Carers’ Forum, which will concentrate on Respite.

Get InvolvedBeing able to take a break is vital for carers, so we recognise that the changes will be an important issue for many of you. We would welcome your thoughts on the changes, and will be compiling them into a report following the Forum.

Please do contact us at info@cftc.org.uk if you would like to contribute, or at the FREEPOST address opposite. If you are not able to attend the forum but have a point that you would like us to raise on your behalf, please do let us know.

6 Care for the Carers

www.cftc.org.uk 7

To book your place call us on 01323 738390, email us at info@cftc.org.uk or complete the form below

Name

Address

Postcode

Telephone

Email

We will try to arrange car sharing for carers requiring transport, please let us know if you are able to offer a lift or if you would like one.

Please post this form to our FREEPOST address.

Please contact me to discuss my access requirements For example: dietary, mobility, language, sensory impairment etc...

I would like to bring the person I care for There is an additional cost of £3 per person, please enclose a cheque made payable to Care for the Carers.

I would like help with transport We will contact you to discuss whether we can help with your travel arrangements

I can help with transport I can provide a lift to another carer

Can't make it? Here's how you can be involved

If you are not able to attend the Forum but have questions you would like asked on your behalf or have feedback about respite care please contact us, see below for our contact details.

FREEPOST Address: Care for the Carers FREEPOST RSAL-CKXH-UBRH 1st Floor Greencoat House 32 St. Leonards Road Eastbourne, BN21 3UT

You are Invited to the Carers’ Forum

Thursday 19th January 2012, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pmat the Winter Gardens , Eastbourne

‘Respite for Carers’Keith Hinkley - Director, Adult Social Care ESCC speaks and takes your questions

on respite care. Feedback your views and network with other carers.

Limited places - Please book by 5th January 2012!

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From the Pharmacist

Reducing side-effects » There is no such thing as a medicine without any possible side

effects; however some people may never experience any side effects at all.

» Sometimes it might be worth putting up with some mild side effects if it means that the condition is improved or gets better.

» Stomach upsets are a common side effect, this can be reduced by taking or giving medicines while eating, or just after a meal (unless the directions say to take them on an empty stomach).

» Alcoholic drink should be avoided with certain types of medicine, your pharmacist or doctor can advise on whether alcohol can be drunk while on the medication.

» If you think that you or your relative is experiencing side effects you should mention it to your doctor because even if it seems trivial to you it could be important information for your doctor. It may help to write down the questions you want to ask.

Safe-keepingNever share or give your medicines to anyone else. They have been individually prescribed and may be harmful to other people.

Never keep your medicines where children can reach them. Ideally medicines should be kept in a locked cupboard. If this isn't possible, make sure all medicine containers are closed properly.

Some medicines need to be kept in the refrigerator Your medicines will have this information on the label or packaging if it applies.

Medicine names » Most medicines have two

names. These are the trade name (brand name) and the approved name (ingredient name).

» With most medicines, it doesn't matter what particular brand (trade name) is used.

» With some medicines it may be necessary to keep to the same brand, ask your doctor or pharmacist if this applies to your medicines.

New MedicationWhen starting a prescription for a new drug, speak to the pharmacist about all medication you take - over the counter and prescription drugs, dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals and herbals, as well foods you eat.

Before taking or giving a drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist the following questions:

» Can I take it with other drugs or herbal medicines?

» Should I avoid certain foods, beverages or other products?

the community health services team

In the last edition of CareLine we mentioned that pharmacists from the Community Health Services Team (from the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust) have been visiting some carers groups

and answering questions about medication.

From the questions asked they were able to put together this pull out guide for you to keep for your own reference.

The pharmacists are visiting us again in the new year as they enjoyed meeting carers and seeing a different perspective on medication.

Introduction

8 Care for the Carers

From the PharmacistDo's & Don'ts Taking medicines safelyDo

Follow the instructions on the label. If you don't understand them, ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain.

Take or give medicines at meal times to help you remember them (unless the directions say to take them on an empty stomach).

Ask your pharmacist for advice. If you buy any medicines over the counter or on-line check that the ingredients do not duplicate or interfere with what you are already taking or giving.

Check whether there is a need to stick to the same brand of medicine when offered repeat prescriptions.

Make regular appointments with your doctor to make sure that the medicines that have been prescribed are still appropriate.

Take medicines no longer needed or used back to a pharmacy.

Don’t Crush tablets or open capsules

and dissolve them in a drink without checking with your pharmacist or doctor first.

Take or give more than the dose stated on the label of the medicine container.

Share medicines or give them to anyone else.

How pharmacists can help » The writing on medicine labels can be very small. Ask your

pharmacist if they can provide large print or Braille labels for medicines.

» Many tablet bottles have child-resistant caps, if you find these difficult to open ask your pharmacist for ordinary screw tops.

» If the medicines have stayed the same for a long time you could use a repeat prescription or dispensing service. You don’t have to go to the surgery every time more medicines are needed; you just have to go to the pharmacy. Ask your doctor and pharmacist for more information.

» Some pharmacies will collect prescriptions from your doctor’s surgery so it is ready to pick up from the pharmacy of your choice. Ask your pharmacist if they offer this service.

» If you are house-bound and unable to get out it is worth asking if your pharmacist can deliver your prescription to you at home.

» If you find it difficult to take your medicines, or remembering what to take, the pharmacist may be able to provide suggestions on how you can help yourself.

Expiry dates and wastageLike foods, medicines have a limited shelf-life, the expiry or ‘use-by’ date.

Generally you shouldn't keep tablets or capsules for longer than a year. Liquids should only be kept for six months.

If in doubt, check the expiry date with your pharmacist.

Some medicines go off very quickly once they're opened. The label will tell you not to use them after a specified amount of time.

The best ways to avoid taking out-of-date medicines is to:

» Get them in small quantities, ideally one month at a time.

» Only order what you need to avoid wasting medicines.

» Once you’ve finished with them make sure you return them to your pharmacist for safe disposal - don't keep them for a 'rainy day'.

the community health services team

www.cftc.org.uk 9

Carers’ GroupsCarers’ groups offer a warm welcome, conversation, information and a sharing experience. Each group meets monthly on the following days:

Lewes 1st Monday

Eastbourne 3rd Monday

Former Carers Eastbourne 2nd Tuesday

Hailsham 1st Wednesday

Seaford 2nd Wednesday

Pevensey 3rd Wednesday

Rye 4th Wednesday

Bookwatch Eastbourne 2nd Thursday

Wadhurst 3rd Thursday

Bexhill 4th Thursday

Hastings & St. Leonards 1st Friday

Forest Row 3rd Friday

Uckfield 4th Friday

Watch this space for new groups near you.

If you would like to help set up a group, give Francesca a call.

Community Carers ChampionsTo help us to increase our presence locally we are now working with a growing number of Community Champions.

Champions are volunteers who will promote carer awareness within their local communities and be a first point of contact for carers who wish to tell their story and explore their options.

What is the role of a Champion? » To help identify hard to reach and isolated carers in their local

communities.

» To strengthen links with local services and activities such as community groups, in order to raise awareness.

» To be a 'listening ear' and signpost carers to support and information that may help them in their caring role.

Get InvolvedIf you're interested in being a carers champion in your community or for more information about volunteering email info@cftc.org.uk or give us a call on 01323 738390

Contact FrancescaFor more information about Carers In Touch please contact Francesca.

Call 01323 738390 or email francescam@cftc.org.uk.

Come and join the Learning Disability Carers Network » Quarterly newsletter sent out

by e-mail or post (details of any useful LD related information; opportunities for you to have your say about LD services as a carer of somebody with a learning disability; feedback from those services)

» Monthly informal LD Carers Group (generally meets on the last Tuesday of the month in Eastbourne)

» We are looking to start another informal group in the East of the County (please let us know if you may be interested)

» Learning Disability Carers Focus Group (meets bimonthly to talk about issues that carers have raised, and reports this to the services)

» We would like to get out and about more and visit any groups of carers who want to have their say about learning disability services (or who want to find out more about the Network). We want to connect with you and find out what you have to say.

If you are interested in being involved, please contact Sarah Stevens. Email sarahs@cftc.org.uk or call 01323 738390.

10 Care for the Carers

A note from Francesca

A s the New Year approaches we are considering expanding the number of groups that we facilitate, but we would

very much like your input into their development.

We would like a set up a new Parent Carer Group but we need to know where would be the best place, when would be the best time and indeed the level of interest.

Similar suggestions would be welcome for a group for carers who look after someone with mental health issues and indeed for a second former carers group. Another possibility is a new carer’s group in the Heathfield area.

Your suggestions on the development of these groups would be warmly received as indeed would any offers to host such a group, with the back up of staff at Care for the Carers.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Francesca

Easy Exercise to Music

Extend classes are designed for people over the age of 60 and for those with disabilities. Extend offers gentle exercises in a safe and sympathetic environment. Naturally, group members have a variety of differing needs and teachers are trained to make sure everyone is working safely.

Classes vary from group to group depending on the fitness levels of the members present, some will include standing routines and balance exercises but there is always a choice to stand or sit. Sessions nearly always begin sitting in a chair, working through your different joints to gain mobility and strengthening the muscles that you need to help you maintain your activities in daily life.

Classes work to music so there is something for everyone to enjoy and sometimes even sing along. These classes provide the opportunity to have fun and make new friends. You are free to bring the person you are caring if you wish.

We are hoping that soon we'll be able to run an Extend class in the Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven area.

If you're interested please give Francesca a call on 01323 738390.

coming

soonBookWatch OnlineFor some time now we have been facilitating a book club which meets in a café in Eastbourne. Members annually select the books to be read and we all read the same book which is discussed when we meet the following month.

We would very much like to extend this successful group beyond the bounds of Eastbourne to other carers via an online bookclub where you can see what we are reading, suggest books and discuss with other readers.

Group members have over the past year read books from an assortment of authors ranging from Aravind Adiga through to Carlos Zafon. Our reading material for the coming year varies from the magical reality of Isabelle Allende through to historian Ben McIntyre’s book on the wartime deception, ‘Operation Mincemeat’. The downside is that we are unable to supply the books, although you can order them via your local library.

If you would like to join BookWatch Online please give me a call on 01323 738390, or email francescam@cftc.org.uk.

NEW

www.cftc.org.uk 11

From the start of January we will be taking bookings for holidays between March and October 2012 in our caravan at Combe Haven Holiday Park, Hastings.

Our caravan is adapted for wheelchair users, with a ramp to the door and wide sliding doors allowing access to the shower room and bedrooms. The shower room is equipped with grab handles and shower seat. The caravan has 1 double room, 1 single room and a pullout double bed in the lounge, sleeping up to 5 people.

So whether you prefer a park with lots of great facilities and things to do, or a holiday base on a lively coastline - at Combe Haven you can have both! The redeveloped pool complex includes a magnificent outdoor flume and every night's a great night in the Live Lounge.

For more information and to book your holiday call Lindsay on 01323 738390.

*Price is for the caravan rental, price shown is based on rental prices 2011, actual prices may vary. Additionl activites not included.

� Up to 5 persons

� Suitable for wheelchair users

� Great for a family get away

� 4-Star Park

� On the Sussex historic coastline

� 9-hole Pitch & Putt Course

� Recently improved pool complex

Book Your Holiday With UsCombe Haven Holiday Park, Hastings

7 Nights from £140*

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Drusillas Park Supports Young Carers In 2012 Drusillas Park is delighted to be helping young carers in East Sussex by supporting Care for the Carers as their official Charity of the Year.

Widely regarded as the best small zoo in the country, the multi award-winning Drusillas Park started in 1925 as a small tea rooms. Today the family run business welcomes over 350,000 visitors a year with its unique mix of animals, attractions and play areas.

As a day-out enjoyed by many young families, it was important to Drusillas to choose a charity dedicated to the welfare of children. The young carers’ service stood out due to the invaluable

support it provides to some of our community’s most challenged young people.

A great deal is planned for the partnership during the course of the year including a group visit, event support and fundraising. Care for the Carers will also have an ongoing presence at the Park and we look forward to working closely together to help support the young carers of East Sussex.

For more information about Drusillas Park please telephone 01323 874100 or visit the website at www.drusillas.co.uk

12 Care for the Carers

Fundraising & Donations A Big Thank You!

W e have had some fantastic support over the last few months, with events ranging from fundraisers to fight nights. The

main focus of fundraising has been for the Young Carers Service, to help them to continue to offer clubs, activities and the caravan to young carers and their families. We are extremely grateful to all of our supporters, here are a few:

Chin Chin, Eastbourne £259.67Guiding Light Foundation £447.00Karen Lowles & the Seaford Fair £390.00Santander Match Funding £390.00

A special mention to Alex and Sam Grant, Seer Dindial and friends - they raised £70.73 from busking!

We have also received grants for carers’ for items such as washing machines and freezers, we’d like to thank the following organisations for their generosity:

Ogilvie Charities £300.00Catherine House Trust £1235.97Princess Royal Trust for Carers Grant £385.88Dr Merry Memorial Fund £109.99

Finally we'd like to say another huge thank you to those of you who have generously made donations and to everyone who has put their time into raising funds for us.

If you're interested or would like more information about fundraising please get in touch - call us on 01323 738390 or email us at info@cftc.org.uk.

Support UsIf you would like to make a donation please send the form below, along with your donation as a cheque or postal order, to our FREEPOST address.

For more information please call us on 01323 738390

If you are a tax payer, you can Gift Aid your donation and make it worth more. For every pound you give to us we get an extra 25p from the Inland revenue.

Upcoming EventsStay up-to-date with our upcoming events by subscribing to our online newsletter or checking our events calendar online at bit.ly/cftcevents. Now we've gone social we'll also be putting upcoming events on facebook and twitter.

If you don't have access to the internet, please phone and we can let you know what's happening near you.

Online NewsletterScan the QR Code with your smart phone or visit eepurl.com/eRLGI to sign up for the email newsletter.

www.cftc.org.uk 13

Please post this slip to our FREEPOST address (page 14)

Name

Address

Postcode

Telephone

Email

My donation

I would like to make a donation of £

I enclose a cheque/postal order

Please make cheques payable to Care for the Carers

I would like to Gift Aid my donation

A Lasting Legacy

Please contact me to discuss how I can make a donation in my will

Competition Winner!In the last edition of CareLine we gave you the chance to win a goodie filled hamper for Christmas. Since receiving your entries we took a vote and have selected our winner.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and sent us their entries.

The Prizes!

Runner Up This photograph was sent to us by Janice Thomas. Receiving the second highest vote, we decided that Janice deserved a prize for such a great photo.

Winning Entry This Pumpkin was coloured in by Edward Cox-Smith & drawn by his sister. Edward loves hamsters.

The Hampe r! & the Ru nne r Up Pr i ze

Contact UsIf you would like more information, support or advice around your caring role, or to notify us of any changes, please complete this slip and return it to our FREEPOST address.

14 Care for the Carers

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FREEPOST Address: Care for the Carers FREEPOST RSAL-CKXH-UBRH 1st Floor Greencoat House 32 St. Leonards Road Eastbourne, BN21 3UT

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Words I have writtenI have been a carer for my wife for seven years and five months ago she moved to a home in Bexhill. We moved to Battle in 2004 and Lesley's problem started shortly afterwards.

We met each other in 1952 and were married by 1955. We have three lovely daughters and in 2005 we had been married for 50 years.

Before retirement we worked together for 11 years. I was a Health and Safety consultant and Lesley did all the office work, having been trained in shorthand and typing at 16.

I would like to share with you some words I have written. I find that they just come to me, they are not thought about, but just how I feel at the time.

Ray Broomfield

Write to us

If you would like to share your story with other readers please write to us, or you can email us at info@cftc.org.uk. (our address is on the opposite page)

lost

A Mother.

What shall we eat?

You still love music and dancing, but your feet do not move.

My Wife.

A Seamstress.

What would you like to wear?

great love) but with no reaction.

You loved a good walk but your feet do not let you do it.

My Lover.

What has taken away your love of reading?

What would you like to do today?

your love and smile

What shall we discuss today?

What has taken these skills away? Dementia is its name.

But for all you have lost you are still my Lesley with

You look at the garden with all its colour (once your

An Artist.

What colour shall I paint the bedroom?

www.cftc.org.uk 15

These flowers were planted by Ray's wife Lesley

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